851.01/2081: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 30—8:25 p.m.]
741. From Murphy. Reference to my 742, April 29, 3 p.m. The text in translation of Giraud’s letter to de Gaulle follows:
“General Catroux has handed me the text of the note setting forth the views of the National Committee with respect to my aide-mémoire of April l.16 The object of the latter was to draw up the principles and the program of action for the establishment of the unity of our efforts which is so vital to France.
1. The National Committee’s note makes interesting observations in regard to the aide-mémoire. The annex to this letter answers these observations and contains proposals to resolve the differences in regard to the settlement of the present situation of fact, division of labors, et cetera. I have no doubt that we can rapidly reach an understanding on all these questions. As regards the settlement of our personal positions, I accept the proposal which General Catroux made to me and include it in the annexed note.
2. There is one point on which our complete agreement is essential, namely, that the French people from the moment of their liberation should establish a provisional government by legislative means under the indispensable legitimate authority derived from the fact of its origin in law. In order to solve fundamental problem, the aide-mémoire of April 1st proposed to insure the return of legality at time [Page 104] of reentry into France by leaving the appointment of the provisional government to an assembly of delegates from the Conseils Généraux in conformity with the Tréveneuc law of February 15, 1872. Frenchmen drew up this law to defend themselves against arbitrary action at a time when they were anxious to maintain their liberties. For my part, after studying the situation carefully, I see no other way for France, in accord with its laws, to return to a normal legitimate and free regime. We cannot leave this path, because others would lead us into unknown dangers.
“Since the National Committee in its note of April 15 offered no objection to this course, I have no doubt of obtaining its full agreement on this question which is at the same time a point of departure for our union and the goal of our common efforts.
Consequently, I consider that one of the first acts of the Council as soon as it is established must be to address a proclamation to the people of France which will give solemn undertaking to the nation that the law of February 15, 1872 will be put into operation when French territory is liberated under the conditions set forth in my memorandum of April 1. Our agreement on those principles conforms with the spirit of the undertakings of our Allies to restore to France its integrity, its liberties, and its territory. The French people will be informed in advance of the stages by which the country will recover its rights, will take comfort in these assurances for the future and have new reasons for confidence and hope. We shall thus give assurances of the disinterestedness of the Council and the proof of its will to reestablish republican laws and to be governed by them. Doubts and fears will disappear.
3. Since we have now exchanged views on essential points, I believe that we should now reach our agreement by means of direct conversations. This work can be done rapidly together. Therefore propose to you that we should meet as soon as it is possible for you after May 5th at Marrakech or Biskra. When it is known our agreement is reached we can return together to Algiers and begin to work without reticence or reserve.
“In order that our conversations may retain the character which they should have, I suggest that we should only each be accompanied by indispensable collaborators, two or three at the most.”
A summary of the annex will follow in a separate telegram.17
Repeated to London. Sent to the Department. [Murphy.]